Washington News: Automated/Electronic Record Keeping and Prescription Storage Systems

April 1, 2008 4:50 PM Topics: Automated prescription reporting system

Published in the April 2008 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

The Board recently reviewed and approved the use of electronic record keeping and prescription storage systems. This was accompanied by a cautionary reminder that a scanned copy of a prescription does not replace the original document. The original “hardcopy” prescription, whether received by facsimile or delivered in person or by mail, may not be discarded (shredded). The hardcopy of a prescription and any other documents associated with that prescription are part of the audit trail and must be maintained [WAC 246-875-020].

Pharmacies that use an automated system to manage patients’ medication records must have a backup record-keeping procedure. This will document new and refill prescriptions if the automated system is inoperative [WAC 246-875-050].